Rourkela, India

Life in this industrial hub comes with trade-offs. Rourkela boasts a population over 500,000 and an integrated steel plant, but the bureaucracy is a persistent headache. The climate swings from sweltering summers to heavy monsoons, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to nearly 50°C. Though the city has been ranked 12th for clean air in India, the nearby forests still occasionally see tigers straying into the industrial zone. Rourkela may appeal to those drawn to its technical colleges and manufacturing opportunities, but it's not for the faint of heart.